Kansas's Most Charming Beach Towns

Kansas, translated "People of the South Wind," may not boast the most dramatic landscape in the United States, but the 34th state to be admitted to the Union, and the last before the Civil War, has its fair share of prairie charm that may well be a revelation to a first-time visitor. Home to one of the world's largest rock salt deposits, Kansas is bounded by Nebraska to the north, Oklahoma to the south, Missouri to the east, and Colorful Colorado to the west.

While Kansas is a landlocked country, it boasts a number of natural lakes, even if not as many as Minnesota's. Around these lakes and waterbodies — are nestled several beach towns — each with its distinctive character. 

Topeka

Kansas is rarely viewed as a beach destination. Yet the state capital itself is home to one of the most visited lakes in the United States. Lake Shawnee is a 135-acre manmade lake that imbues the area with charming, blue-space serenity — and draws visitors to the state capital in droves. For perspective, Lake Shawnee attracts more than a million people to its shores every year and boasts several water-based activities. Among the many activities visitors can enjoy on Lake Shawnee are fishing, swimming, and boating. Besides, Lake Shawnee campgrounds have more than 120 campsites where avid campers can put up their tents, enjoy roasted marshmallows, and watch the moon's gentle glow. The fine-sand beach that fringes the lake's picturesque shoreline is encircled by amazing views on every side and is famous for its magical sunsets.

Milford

Founded way back in 1868, Milford is a town of fewer than 2,000 residents. Milford is, therefore, a small town and exudes all the small-town allure irresistible to vacationers. Enticingly nestled right next to Milford Lake, this town is a state beach secret worth discovering. Known as the "City of Beautiful Sunsets," visitors can view one of nature's most colorful displays at the lake. Besides, there are dining options around the lake where one can enjoy a sumptuous bite—while watching the glowing rays of the sun sweep over the rippled surface of the otherwise calm water body. For staying, it is difficult to go wrong with Acorns Resort, a secret hidden in the tree-covered banks of Milford Lake, the largest lake in Kansas. Acorns is a gorgeous facility that boasts clean, lake-facing cabins ideal for an unhurried vacation.

Ellis

Ellis is a small town of about 1,000 residents that is nestled along Interstate 70 on the western edge of the Smoky Hills region. Meandering through the town is the 221-mile-long Big Creek River, one of the principal tributaries of the Smoky Hill River. Big Creek is dammed in Ellis, creating a narrow, long reservoir known as Big Creek Lake. Nestled beside Big Creek Lake is the peaceful Ellis Lakeside Campground, a nature lover's paradise. Here is where one will enjoy spending a quiet, moonlit night amid the sounds of tweeting birds and rustling leaves. Besides, one can spend a meditative hour on the banks of the river while enjoying amazing views all around. An impressive range of shopping and dining options are just a few steps from this gorgeous facility. And just 24 miles away is the Cedar Bluff State Park, which features some breathtaking bluffs and a lake.

Ozawkie

Ozawkie is charmingly curled up on the northwestern edge of Lake Perry, one of the most beautiful lakes in the Sunflower State. Perry Lake boasts 160 miles of picturesque shoreline and covers an area of more than 11,000 acres. Nicknamed "the Paradise of the Plains," Perry Lake is a popular recreation area worth exploring. Outdoor lovers might not get enough of boating, camping, or hiking. Besides, the lake is just where every angling enthusiast should direct their gear. This is because Perry Lake is among the best bass lakes in the United States. While not fishing, one can enjoy the thrill of water skiing. And at the surrounding Perry State Park, visitors will enjoy a swimming beach amid a landscape dotted with beautiful wildflowers. 

Cherryvale

Nestled in Montgomery County in Southeast Kansas, Cherryvale is a charming small town of about 2,000. While the town got its name from the abundance of wild cherry trees within its then-wooded precincts, Cherryvale traces its growth and development to the railroad industry. Some of the historic buildings that should constitute a trip's highlight is the Leatherock Hotel and Museums, the only surviving local hotel among the many built in the town's bygone era. Five miles east of Cherryvale is Big Hill Lake, a gem that holds some of the clearest waters in the Sunflower State. The lake boasts a sandy beach one can lounge on — and cool waters that successfully tempt visitors to take a plunge.

Manhattan

Not to be confused with the most populous New York City borough, Manhattan, Kansas, is the county seat of Kansas's Riley County as well as its largest city. Manhattan, Kansas, is sometimes called the "Little Apple" to differentiate it from "the Big Apple," as New York City is known. Boasting a population of about 55,000, Manhattan is part big, part small—and with the best of both worlds. Famous for being the gateway to the Flint Hills, a unique ecosystem only found in Kansas and Northern Oklahoma, Manhattan is a nature lover's dream. For instance, Tuttle Creek Lake, and the park around it, is an easy five miles from town. Visitors to the lake will gasp at the 12,000-acre water marvel that boasts a pretty beach with a nice swimming area.

Glen Elder

Boasting a population of less than 400, Glen Elder is a charming small town nestled along the Solomon River at the base of the Glen Elder Dam and Waconda Lake. Waconda Lake is a famous crowd-puller since it is the third-largest reservoir in the State of Kansas. Beach lovers will be thrilled to learn that Glen Elder essentially hugs the picturesque shoreline of Waconda Lake. The lake is less than half a mile west of Glen Elder. Waconda Lake is an ideal location for those who want to fish, swim, or just go bobbing about in a boat. Glen Elder State Park sprawls out on the northwestern side of Waconda Lake for even more adventure. The park drapes the area in breathtaking greenery—and offers visitors endless recreational opportunities.

The Takeaway

Kansas is no Colorado, even if it borders it to the west, and no Nevada—because its landscape is not as mountainous. However, the Sunflower State is not without its fair share of attractions. The state boasts a collection of lakes, not as many as Minnesota's "10,000," but still enough to attract and detain visitors. Many of these lakes are close to several charming towns, having lent them their life and breath. From Topeka, the state's capital, to Glen Elder, Kansas's beach towns are quite a revelation.